Mathematicians

Mathematicians

Do you love math? Could you combine your math skills with another field such as computer science or engineering? Is there a difference between jobs requiring theoretical math from those requiring applied mathematics? The career education information presented here will help you learn more about mathematicians, the job outlook, the education required, and the career opportunities.

Learn more in the career education information listed below:

Overview

• A doctoral degree in mathematics usually is the minimum education needed, except in the Federal Government.
• Employment is expected to decline because very few jobs with the title mathematician are available.
• Master's and Ph.D. degree holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as computer science or engineering, should have good employment opportunities in related occupations.

Job Description

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes - theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined, and often overlap.

Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although they seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty and divide their time between teaching and conducting research.

Applied mathematicians, on the other hand, use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and in the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effect and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternate manufacturing processes. Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when solving a difficult problem. Some mathematicians, called cryptanalysts, analyze and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law enforcement-related information in code.

Applied mathematicians start with a practical problem, envision the separate elements of the process under consideration, and then reduce the elements into mathematical variables. They often use computers to analyze relationships among the variables and solve complex problems by developing models with alternate solutions.

Much of the work in applied mathematics is done by individuals with titles other than mathematician. In fact, because mathematics is the foundation upon which so many other academic disciplines are built, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is much greater than the number formally designated as mathematicians. For example, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, and economists are among those who use mathematics extensively. Some professionals, including statisticians, actuaries, and operations research analysts, actually are specialists in a particular branch of mathematics. Frequently, applied mathematicians are required to collaborate with other workers in their organizations to achieve common solutions to problems.

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Working Conditions

Mathematicians usually work in comfortable offices. They often are part of an interdisciplinary team that may include economists, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, technicians, and others. Deadlines, overtime work, special requests for information or analysis, and prolonged travel to attend seminars or conferences may be part of their jobs. Mathematicians who work in academia usually have a mix of teaching and research responsibilities. These mathematicians often conduct research alone, or are aided by graduate students interested in the topic being researched.

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Employment

Mathematicians held about 3,600 jobs in 2000. In addition, about 20,000 persons held full-time mathematics faculty positions in colleges and universities in 2000, according to the American Mathematical Society.

Many nonfaculty mathematicians work for Federal or State governments. The U.S. Department of Defense is the primary Federal employer, accounting for about three-fourths of the mathematicians employed by the Federal Government. In the private sector, major employers include research and testing services, educational services, security and commodity exchanges, and management and public relations services. Within manufacturing, the aerospace and drug industries are the key employers. Some mathematicians also work for banks and insurance companies.

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Education, Training & Qualifications

A doctoral degree in mathematics usually is the minimum education needed for prospective mathematicians, except in the Federal Government. In the Federal Government, entry-level job candidates usually must have a 4-year degree with a major in mathematics or a 4-year degree with the equivalent of a mathematics major - 24 semester hours of mathematics courses.

In private industry, candidates for mathematician jobs typically need a Masters or Ph.D. degree. Most of the positions designated for mathematicians are in research and development laboratories as part of technical teams. Research scientists in such positions engage either in basic research on pure mathematical principles or in applied research on developing or improving specific products or processes. The majority of those with a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics who work in private industry do so not as mathematicians, but in related fields such as computer science, where they have titles such as computer programmer, systems analyst, or systems engineer.

A bachelor's degree in mathematics is offered by most colleges and universities. Mathematics courses usually required for this degree include calculus, differential equations, and linear and abstract algebra. Additional courses might include probability theory and statistics, mathematical analysis, numerical analysis, topology, discrete mathematics, and mathematical logic. Many colleges and universities urge or require students majoring in mathematics to take courses in a field that is closely related to mathematics, such as computer science, engineering, life science, physical science, or economics. A double major in mathematics and another discipline such as computer science, economics, or another one of the sciences is particularly desirable to many employers. A prospective college mathematics major should take as many mathematics courses as possible while in high school.

In 2001, about 200 colleges and universities offered a master's degree as the highest degree in either pure or applied mathematics; about 200 offered a Ph.D. degree in pure or applied mathematics. In graduate school, students conduct research and take advanced courses, usually specializing in a subfield of mathematics.

For jobs in applied mathematics, training in the field in which the mathematics will be used is very important. Mathematics is used extensively in physics, actuarial science, statistics, engineering, and operations research. Computer science, business and industrial management, economics, finance, chemistry, geology, life sciences, and behavioral sciences are likewise dependent on applied mathematics. Mathematicians also should have substantial knowledge of computer programming because most complex mathematical computation and much mathematical modeling is done on a computer.

Mathematicians need good reasoning ability and persistence in order to identify, analyze, and apply basic principles to technical problems. Communication skills are important, as mathematicians must be able to interact and discuss proposed solutions with people who may not have an extensive knowledge of mathematics.

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Job Outlook

Employment of mathematicians is expected to decline through 2010, because very few jobs with the title mathematician are available. However, master's and Ph.D. degree holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as engineering or computer science, should have good job opportunities. However, many of these workers have job titles that reflect their occupation, rather than the title mathematician.

Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future. However, jobs in industry and government often require advanced knowledge of related scientific disciplines in addition to mathematics. The most common fields in which mathematicians study and find work are computer science and software development, physics, engineering, and operations research. More mathematicians also are becoming involved in financial analysis. Mathematicians must compete for jobs, however, with people who have degrees in these other disciplines. The most successful jobseekers will be able to apply mathematical theory to real-world problems, and possess good communication, teamwork, and computer skills.

Private industry jobs require at least a master's degree in mathematics or in one of the related fields. Bachelor's degree holders in mathematics usually are not qualified for most jobs, and many seek advanced degrees in mathematics or a related discipline. However, bachelor's degree holders who meet State certification requirements may become primary or secondary school mathematics teachers.

Holders of a master's degree in mathematics will face very strong competition for jobs in theoretical research. Because the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded in mathematics continues to exceed the number of university positions available, many of these graduates will need to find employment in industry and government.

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Salary Expectations

*Median annual earnings of mathematicians were $68,640 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,740 and $85,520. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $35,390, while the highest 10 percent earned over $101,900.

According to a 2001 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers averaged $46,466 a year for mathematics graduates with a bachelor's degree, and $55,938 for those with a master's degree. Doctoral degree candidates averaged $53,440.

In early 2001, the average annual salary for mathematicians employed by the Federal Government in supervisory, nonsupervisory, and managerial positions was $76,460; for mathematical statisticians, it was $76,530, and for cryptanalysts, $70,840.

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Related Occupations

Other occupations that require extensive knowledge of mathematics or, in some cases, a degree in mathematics include actuaries; statisticians; computer programmers; systems analysts, computer scientists, and database administrators; computer software engineers; and operations research analysts. A strong background in mathematics also facilitates employment as teachers - postsecondary, engineers, economists and survey and market researchers, financial analysts and personal financial advisors, and physicists and astronomers.

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Associations, Resources & Accreditation

For more information about careers and training in mathematics, especially for doctoral-level employment, contact:

• American Mathematical Society

For specific information on careers in applied mathematics, contact:

• Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

Information on obtaining a mathematician position with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through a telephone-based system. Consult your telephone directory under U.S. Government for a local number or call (912) 757-3000; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339. The first number is not toll free, and charges may result.

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Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Mathematicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/

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